Column No. 1 and Arch
This column, together with arch No 1, was the gift of the Cathedral Guild. The Guild was formed by Bishop Harper in 1873 for the purpose of furthering the work of building the Cathedral
Column No. 2
This column was given as a memorial to Mrs Charles Thomson, a French woman who arrived at Lyttelton in 1851 and taught at a small private school in Oxford Terrace near the Public Hospital. She died suddenly in 1875, and as a memorial to her, old pupils and friends subscribed to the fund this column.
Column No. 3
This column was the gift of Sir C.T. Dyke-Acland, Bart, who was not resident in the colony, however there was a connection to the Canterbury family of Aclands.
Column No. 4
This column was the gift of Archdeacon William Wellington Willock, who arrived in Canterbury in one of the First Four Ships. He was a cousin of Sir Robert Peel, founder of the modern Police Force.
Column No. 5
This was the gift of the Westenra family, in memory of Captain Westenra of "Camla", Dunsandel. Captain Westenra, of the 17th Royal Fusiliers, arrived in 1851. He represented Christchurch in the Provincial Council from 1855-57 and again from 1860-66.
Column No. 6
This column was given in memory of Dr Alfred Barker and Mrs Barker by their children. Dr Barker arrived in Canterbury in the Charlotte Jane and was, for many years, the only doctor of the Canterbury Plains. He retired from practice in 1858 and as a photographer has given Christchurch an invaluable record of life in the infant colony. Dr Barker was a Fellow of Christ's College, designing the library for that institution, and a member of the original Cathedral Commission. He was also a member of the Provincial Council from 1855 to 1857.
Column No. 7
This column was the gift of the Freemasons of Canterbury. The date "Anno Lucis 5902" corresponds to our "Anno Domini 1902". When Freemasonry came into existence, the origin of the world was thought to be 4,000 years before the birth of Christ, the genealogies of the Book of Genesis being the basis of this belief. Also on the column is a glass case containing Bishop Harper's Primatial cross. This cross was made by John Brunette, a Christchurch jeweller.
Column No. 8
This column was regarded by the Cathedral Chapter as a gift from Mr R.M. Morten as he had subscribed £1,000 to the fund for the completion of the Cathedral and his gift was commemorated on this pillar. Mr Morten settled in Canterbury in 1869, acquiring land at Rakaia, Mt Pleasant, Tai Tapu, Waipara and Whiterock.
Column No. 9
This column was the gift of a number of Canterbury Pilgrims, many of whose names were used for street names in Christchurch as the young settlement grew.
Column No. 10
This column was presented anonymously and dedicated "In memory of a Pilgrim." Every year a service of commemoration is held in this Cathedral on the Sunday nearest December 16, in memory of the Pilgrims and Early Settlers.
Column No. 11
This column was the gift of John Fletcher of Croft, Ambleside, England, through his brother-in-law, Archdeacon Willock, of Christchurch.
Column No. 12
This column was the gift of the Hon. J.B.A. Acland, MCL. Mr Acland, a barrister-at-law of the Inner Temple, arrived in Canterbury in 1855 and with his friend, C.G. Tripp, took up land at Mt Peel. A devout supporter of the Church, Mr Acland was responsible for the construction of churches at Mt Peel, Peel Forest and Fendalton. From 1864 to 1899 he represented South Canterbury in the Legislative Council.
Column No. 13
This column was a gift of Mr Philip Hanmer, Esq. He was the son of the Rev. A.J. Hanmer, Vicar of Hanmer in Flintshire, England. He arrived in Canterbury in 1862 and practiced as a barrister in partnership with a son of Bishop Harper. He was first Chancellor of the Diocese of Christchurch.
Column No. 14 and Arch
This column and the arch were built from funds of the Cathedral Commission. The Commission was appointed by the Synod in 1859 to oversee the work of buildings the Cathedral.